Automatic application of zipper segment

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for the application of zipper segments to opposite sides of a flat, form cut cardboard, paper or plastic card using double-sided adhesive tape. The card receives double-sided tape, and then zipper profiles are secured to the double-sided tape. Alternately, the zipper profiles and double-sided tape may be joined together and then applied to the card. The card is then folded and used for the packing of pieces of chewing gum or similar applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/115,768 filed Nov. 18, 2008, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure pertains to the application of zipper profile segments to opposite sides of a flat, form cut cardboard, paper or plastic card using double sided tape. The card is then folded and used for the packing of pieces of chewing gum or similar applications. This disclosure can also be used for other applications of securing a zipper to packaging whenever conventional methods, such as heat sealing, are not practical or possible.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are applications in the field of packaging wherein the zipper for opening and closing the package cannot be secured to the package by heat sealing, such as when the walls are made from a paper product. One way of securing the zipper to the package is to tuck a package edge under a flap. However, this type of closure can be difficult to engage. In addition, after several openings and closing, the flap can become loose or worn and therefore not stay closed to keep the product in the package.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a method and apparatus for attaching a zipper to a package wherein heat sealing cannot be used, such as with certain paper packages.

It is therefore a further object of the present disclosure to provide a method and apparatus for attaching a zipper to a package, thereby further providing a simple opening and closing operation by the user, as well as providing a closing method that will outlast the package or product life.

These and other objects are attained by providing a method and apparatus wherein a precut, folded cardboard, paper or plastic package or card is sequentially transported on a conveyor type mechanism. Double-sided adhesive tape is unwound from a roll, applied to the card, its length measured and then cut. A stripper mechanism removes the backing paper from the tape to expose the other side of the adhesive. The zipper segment is then cut and applied to the exposed adhesive. The card is then transported to a subsequent station where it can be accumulated for subsequent operations, or can continue on and be folded, closed, and filled with product. These operations are typically performed in tandem so that each zipper segment is applied on the two sides on the card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a first embodiment of a manufacturing process of the present disclosure, further including plan views showing the sequential manufacturing of the product.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a second embodiment of a manufacturing process of the present disclosure, further including plan views showing the sequential manufacturing of the product.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a third embodiment of a manufacturing process of the present disclosure, further including plan views showing the sequential manufacturing of the product.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a fourth embodiment of a manufacturing process of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of a fifth embodiment of a manufacturing process of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one sees that FIG. 1 is a schematic of a first embodiment of the manufacturing process of the present invention.

Pre-cut unfolded cardboard, paper or plastic packages (or cards) 100 (or other suitable substrate) are provided in a stack 10, supported by plate 11, and illustrated in plan view thereabove in FIG. 1. The presence of packages (or cards) 100 is sensed by sensor 12 and the data sent to a central processing unit (not shown) which controls the sequence of operations. Roller 14 is used to feed packages 100 from stack 10 to a conveyor system 16. The passage of packages 100 is sensed or monitored by sensor 18 and the data sent to a central processing unit (not shown) which controls the sequence of operations. The package 100 arrives at a tape dispensing station 20 wherein a reel 22 of double-sided adhesive tape 24 is provided. Typically, tape dispensing station 20 is supplied in tandem so that two strips of double-sided adhesive tape 24 are supplied as shown in package 100′. The presence of double-sided adhesive tape 24 is sensed or monitored by sensor 26 and the data sent to a central processing unit (not shown) which controls the sequence of operations. Double-sided adhesive tape 24 is unwound from reel 22 and fed through tape transport rollers 30 which are positioned on both sides of tape cutter 32. Double-sided adhesive tape 24 passes underneath measuring roller 34 and approaches tape fastening roller 36. Tape fastening roller 36 is configured to adhere double-sided adhesive tape 24 to a registered edge of package 100. As the package 100 is transported by conveyor system 16, the double-sided adhesive tape 24 is applied to package 100 and the length of the applied segment of double-sided adhesive tape 24 is measured by measuring roller 34. When the correct length of double-sided adhesive tape 24 has been fed, tape cutter 32 cuts the double-sided adhesive tape 24 and the feeding of double-sided adhesive tape 24 is momentarily stopped until the subsequent package 100 is detected. The transport of package 100 continues until the segment of double-sided adhesive tape 24 is applied. A stripper mechanism 40, typically including a blade, is positioned immediately downstream of the tape fastening roller 36 to remove backing paper from the double-sided adhesive tape 24, thereby exposing the upper adhesive side of double-sided adhesive tape 24, resulting in the package 100′ illustrated within FIG. 1. Package 100′ includes two parallel strips of double-sided adhesive tape 24 with the upper adhesive surface exposed. Backing removal system 42, typically including a vacuum, a roller, or a blower, is provided to remove the backing paper from the manufacturing area, typically placing the cut backing paper into a waste container (not shown).

The package 100′, including the two strips of double-sided adhesive tape 24 with the upper adhesive surface exposed, is then transported by conveyor system 16 to zipper dispensing station 46. Zipper dispensing station 46 includes reel 48 which dispenses zipper profile 50. The presence of zipper profile 50 is sensed or monitored by sensor 54 and the data sent to a central processing unit (not shown) which controls the sequence of operations. Zipper dispensing station 46 is typically provided in tandem to provide two complementary zipper profiles 50, 52 as shown on package 100″. Complementary zipper profiles 50, 52 are configured to interlock with each other when card 100″ is folded so as to engage zipper profiles 50, 52 against each other. Zipper profile 50 is fed through zipper transport rollers 56 and underneath zipper profile cutter 58, zipper profile fastening roller 60 and tamper 62. Zipper profile 50 is unwound from reel 48 and measured, typically by zipper transport roller 56. Zipper profile 50 is then cut to a specific length by zipper profile cutter 58, which may be different from the length of the segment of double-sided adhesive tape 24. The resulting segments of zipper profile 50, 52 are then applied to the newly exposed adhesive and tamped by tamper 62 at a selected location from the edge of the package 100′ thereby resulting in the configuration of illustrated package 100″ wherein strips of zipper profile 50, 52 are provided in parallel, whereby folding the package 100″ about the machine direction axis 101 would result in the engagement and interlocking of the segments of zipper profile 50, 52 with each other. The package 100″ is then transported to a subsequent station where it can be accumulated for the next operation or continue on and be folded, closed, and filled with product, such as, but not limited to, chewing gum.

In FIG. 2, stack 10 and the associated components of FIG. 1 are replaced with a strip of continuous cardboard, paper or plastic stock 64 which is provided by reel 66. The stock is not cut at tape dispensing station 20 thereby resulting in the periodic parallel application of the segments of double-sided adhesive tape 24 and zipper profiles 50, 52 to stock 64 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Again, the stock is ultimately folded about the machine direction axis 101 in order to bring zipper profiles 50, 52 together.

In FIG. 3, the tape dispensing station 20 is arranged over the zipper dispensing station 46 whereby the zipper profile 50 is continuously applied to the double-sided adhesive tape 24, and the resulting combination of zipper profile 50 and double-sided adhesive tape 24 is measured, cut and applied to the packages 100 resulting in the packages 100″, substantially identical to the package 100″ illustrated in FIG. 1. Again, a tandem configuration of stations is typically used in order to provide the two zipper profiles 50, 52.

FIG. 4 discloses an embodiment which integrates the tandem configuration by using a single zipper profile reel 48 which provides interlocked zipper profiles 50, 52. The zipper profiles 50, 52 are separated and provided with double-sided adhesive tape 24, 24′ by tape dispensing stations 20, 20′, and the backing is removed by backing removal systems 42, 42′. The zipper profiles 50, 52, with double-sided adhesive tape 24, 24′, respectively, attached thereto is applied to the cardboard container 100, similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 discloses an embodiment wherein the cutters 32, 58 (see FIG. 2) are omitted and continuous strips of double-sided adhesive tape 24 and the zipper profiles 50, 52 are laid down. The stock 64 would be subsequently cut and folded to produce the final product.

Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims. 

1. A method of manufacturing a package, comprising the steps of: providing a sequence of cards; applying a first strip of two-sided tape to the cards; and applying a first zipper profile to the first strip of two-sided tape.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of applying a second strip of two-sided tape to the cards.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of applying a second zipper profile to the second strip of two-sided tape.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the first strip of two-sided tape is applied to a first side of the cards and the second strip of two-sided tape is applied to a second side of the cards.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the first strip of two-sided tape is parallel to the second strip of two-sided tape.
 6. The method of claim 5 further including the step of removing backing paper from the first and second strips of two-sided tape prior to the steps of applying the first and second zipper profiles.
 7. The method of claim 6 further including the step of folding the cards along a machine direction axis thereby bringing the first and second zipper profiles together.
 8. A method of manufacturing a package, comprising the steps of: providing a strip of stock material; periodically applying a first strip of two-sided tape to the strip of stock material; and periodically applying a first zipper profile to the first strip of two-sided tape.
 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of applying a second strip of two-sided tape to the strip of stock material.
 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of applying a second zipper profile to the second strip of two-sided tape.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the first strip of two-sided tape is applied to a first side of the strip of stock material and the second strip of two-sided tape is applied to a second side of the strip of stock material.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first strip of two-sided tape is parallel to the second strip of two-sided tape.
 13. The method of claim 12 further including the step of removing backing paper from the first and second strips of two-sided tape prior to the steps of applying the first and second zipper profiles.
 14. The method of claim 13 further including the step of folding the strip of stock material along a machine direction axis thereby bringing the first and second zipper profiles together.
 15. A method of manufacturing a package, comprising the steps of: providing a sequence of cards; applying a first zipper profile to a first strip of two-sided tape; and applying the first strip of two-sided tape, with the first zipper profile attached thereto, to the cards.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of applying a second zipper profile to a second strip of two-sided tape.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of applying the second strip of two-sided tape, with the second zipper profile attached thereto, to the cards.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the first strip of two-sided tape is applied to a first side of the cards and the second strip of two-sided tape is applied to a second side of the cards.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the first strip of two-sided tape is parallel to the second strip of two-sided tape.
 20. The method of claim 19 further including the step of providing a single reel from which the first and second zipper profiles are provided, initially interlocking with each other.
 21. A method of manufacturing a package, comprising the steps of: providing a stock material; applying a first zipper profile to a first strip of two-sided tape; applying the first strip of two-sided tape, with the first zipper profile attached thereto, to the stock material.
 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of applying a second zipper profiles to a second strip of two-sided tape.
 23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of applying the second strip of two-sided tape, with the second zipper profile attached thereto, to the stock material.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the first strip of two-sided tape is applied to a first side of the strip of stock material and the second strip of two-sided tape is applied to a second side of the strip of stock material.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein the first strip of two-sided tape is parallel to the second strip of two-sided tape. 